The Hebrew word Chephtsîy bâhh, represented by H2657, literally means my delight (is) in her. It appears 2 times in 2 unique verses. It is used both as a personal name for an individual and as a powerful, fanciful name for Palestine, signifying God's restored favor.
In its biblical occurrences, H2657 is used in two distinct ways. First, it appears as a proper name for the mother of Manasseh, king of Jerusalem 2 Kings 21:1. Second, and more symbolically, it is used by the prophet Isaiah to represent a new identity for the land of Israel. The land will no longer be called Forsaken or Desolate, but will instead be called Hephzibah, because the Lord's delight is in her Isaiah 62:4.
Several related words in Isaiah 62:4 provide a fuller picture of the meaning of Hephzibah:
- H2654 châphêts (to be pleased with, desire): This is the root from which Hephzibah is formed. The verse explicitly connects the new name to this action, stating "for the LORD delighteth in thee" Isaiah 62:4.
- H5800 ʻâzab (to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.; ... forsake): This is the root of the land's former name, "Forsaken." The new name Hephzibah stands in direct contrast to this state of abandonment Isaiah 62:4.
- H8077 shᵉmâmâh (devastation; ... desolate(-ion), waste): This word forms the other former name, "Desolate." It represents the state of ruin and devastation that is reversed by God's renewed delight in the land Isaiah 62:4.
The theological weight of H2657 is centered on God's redemptive character.
- Divine Restoration: The primary theme is God's power to reverse a state of judgment. The renaming of the land from "Forsaken" H5800 and "Desolate" H8077 to Hephzibah is a prophetic declaration that God will restore His people and land from ruin to a place of honor Isaiah 62:4.
- God's Sovereign Delight: The name is a direct statement about God's affections. It reveals a God who takes pleasure and delight in His people, as confirmed by the use of the verb châphêts H2654 in the same passage. His delight is the very reason for the restoration Isaiah 62:4.
- Covenant Intimacy: In the same verse where the land is called Hephzibah, it is also called "Beulah" and it is said that the land "shall be married" H1166. This links God's delight to the intimate and secure covenant relationship of a husband to his wife, signifying a move from abandonment to union.
In summary, H2657 is far more than a simple name. While it serves as a historical name for a queen, its deeper significance lies in its prophetic use. It encapsulates the promise of divine restoration, changing a reality of desolation and abandonment into one of favor and delight. The name Hephzibah stands as a powerful symbol of God's intimate, covenantal love for His people and His ability to redeem and rename them according to His pleasure.
TRV